There are a lot of ways to make pizza night exciting, but a drizzle of hot honey might be one of my favorites. This Hot Honey Pizza has everything I want in a homemade pizza: a golden, chewy crust, melty cheese, crispy pepperoni, tangy banana peppers and that sticky-sweet heat that makes you go back for just one more slice.
Perfect flavor balance. The pepperoni brings salty, savory flavor, the banana peppers add tang, and the hot honey gives every bite a sweet heat that keeps things interesting.
It tastes restaurant-worthy without being complicated. A hot oven, a preheated stone or baking sheet, and a smart mix of cheeses give you pizzeria vibes at home.
Easy to customize. Make it mild or spicy, swap the toppings, use store-bought or homemade dough, and drizzle on as much hot honey as your heart desires.
Ingredients for Hot Honey Pizza
Gather what you need and turn dinner into a fun make-your-own-pizza night! A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Pizza Dough – Use 1 pound of pizza dough, either homemade or store-bought. Letting the dough come to room temperature makes it much easier to stretch and helps it bake into a chewy crust with crisp, golden edges.
- All-Purpose Flour or Cornmeal – A little flour or cornmeal keeps the dough from sticking while you stretch it and transfer it to the oven. Cornmeal also adds a tiny bit of texture to the bottom of the crust, similar to pizzeria-style pizza.
- Pizza Sauce – Pizza sauce adds the classic tomato base and a little acidity to balance the rich cheese and sweet hot honey. Use your favorite store-bought sauce or homemade pizza sauce, but keep the layer thin so the crust does not get soggy.
- Mozzarella – Low-moisture mozzarella is the best choice for homemade pizza because it melts beautifully without releasing too much liquid. It gives the pizza that stretchy, bubbly, cheesy topping everyone loves.
- Provolone – Provolone adds a slightly sharper, richer flavor than mozzarella alone. It melts well and gives the pizza a more pizzeria-style cheese blend.
- Pepperoni – Pepperoni brings salty, savory flavor and a little spice. As it bakes, the edges get crisp and the oils flavor the cheese and crust, making it a perfect match for the sweet heat of hot honey.
- Banana Peppers – Banana peppers add tangy, briny brightness that cuts through the richness of the cheese and pepperoni. Be sure to drain them well so they do not add extra moisture to the pizza.
- Grated Parmesan – Parmesan adds salty, nutty flavor and a little extra depth. A sprinkle before baking helps boost the savory flavor of the cheese and toppings.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – These are optional, but they add another layer of heat. Use them if you like a spicier hot honey pepperoni pizza, or skip them for a milder version.
- Hot Honey – Hot honey is the finishing touch that makes this pizza special. It adds sticky sweetness and gentle heat, balancing the salty pepperoni, tangy banana peppers, and melty cheese. Drizzle it on after baking for the best flavor.
How to Make Hot Honey Pizza
Making this sweet and spicy pizza couldn’t be easier, just follow these simple steps.
- Make hot honey. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey and crushed red pepper flakes. Warm, stirring occasionally, but do not boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Run the honey through a colander or fine mesh sieve to collect the crushed red pepper flakes, allowing it to drop into a clean, dry vessel for storage.
- Heat pizza stone. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven and preheat. Let it heat for at least 20 to 30 minutes so you get that golden, crisp bottom. This step is optional, but makes for a great pizza!
- Roll out dough. On a lightly floured surface, stretch the dough into a circle. Transfer to parchment paper if using, or a lightly floured pizza peel.
- Add toppings. Spread the pizza sauce in a thin layer, leaving a small border around the edges. Top with mozzarella, provolone, pepperoni, banana peppers, parmesan, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, optional.
- Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling with browned spots.
- Drizzle with hot honey. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with a couple tablespoons of the hot honey.
What to Serve with Hot Honey Pizza
This pizza is rich, cheesy, and a little spicy, so I like serving it with something crisp or cool on the side. Some of my favorites are:
- Side salad
- Simple arugula salad
- Garlic knots
- Antipasto salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Ranch or blue cheese for dipping
Chef Tips for Perfect Pizza
I’ve made this hot honey pizza in my test kitchen to be able to bring you the best tips and tricks.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella is delicious, but it releases more liquid and can make the center of the pizza watery.
- Drain the banana peppers well. Pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to the pizza. This helps keep the crust crisp.
- Preheat the pan or stone. This is one of the easiest ways to get a crispier homemade crust.
- Do not overload the sauce. A thin layer is all you need. Too much sauce can weigh down the dough.
- Add the hot honey after baking. If you add it before baking, the sugars can burn and the flavor will be less fresh.
- Let the pizza rest before slicing. Just a few minutes helps the cheese settle so the toppings do not slide off.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: Store leftover hot honey pizza in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: For the best texture, reheat slices in a skillet over medium-low heat until the bottom is crisp and the cheese is melted. You can also use an air fryer or oven. Avoid the microwave if possible. It works in a pinch, but the crust will be softer.
Freezing: Freeze cooled slices in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Add hot honey after baking. This keeps the flavor fresh and prevents the honey from burning in the oven.
This version is moderately spicy, depending on the hot honey and whether you use extra crushed red pepper flakes. For a milder pizza, skip the extra red pepper flakes.
The most common reasons are too much sauce, wet toppings, fresh mozzarella with excess moisture, or an oven that is not hot enough. Preheating the baking surface helps create a crispier crust.
Yes. You can make it vegetarian or swap in another topping like sausage, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions.
More Zesty Pizza Recipes
When pizza is on the dinner menu, everyone gets excited! Here are some of our favorites.
Hot Honey Pizza Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornmeal , for stretching
- 1 pound pizza dough , room temperature
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella , shredded
- 2 ounces provolone , shredded
- 10 to 12 slices pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons banana peppers , sliced and drained
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes , optional
- 2 tablespoons hot honey , homemade (link) or bottled
Instructions
- Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450°F. Let it heat for at least 20 to 30 minutes so you get that golden, crisp bottom. This step is optional ,but makes for a great pizza!
- On a lightly floured or cornmealed surface, stretch the 1 pound pizza dough into a 12- to 14-inch circle. Transfer to parchment paper if using, or a lightly floured pizza peel.
- Spread the 1/3 cup pizza sauce in a thin layer, leaving a small border around the edges. Top with shredded 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, 2 ounces provolone, 10 to 12 slices pepperoni, 2 tablespoons banana peppers, 2 tablespoons grated parmesan, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling with browned spots.
- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with 2 tablespoons hot honey.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how you liked it!
Notes
Nutrition
